The courage of ideas. In the game, in men, in philosophy. Switzerland tames Marco Rossi’s Hungary with merit and far too easily. Murat Yakin launches a semi-debutant forward, focuses on the block of the marvelous Bologna and proposes a football with a logical and linear development in the spacing. Thus, the Swiss pass through Cologne. Goals from Duah and Aebischer in the first half put the match downhill, Varga shortened the score in the second half but there was no follow-up, and Embolo closed the score in injury time for the final 3-1.
the match
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The formations are mirrored, both national teams choose the 3-4-2-1 as their setup. Rossi opts for Szoboszlai – the youngest captain in the history of the European Championships at 23 years old – and Sallai behind Varga, Yakin relies on the Bolognese group with Ndoye, Aebischer and Freuler all on the pitch. Rodriguez in defense and Sommer in goal are also starters, but the real surprise is represented by Duah deployed as an offensive reference in place of Amdouni. The Ludogorets striker, in fact, made his debut only a few days ago in a friendly against Switzerland. However, it is a more than happy intuition: in the 12th minute Aebischer receives in the attacking midfield, serves Duah’s cut with a perfect through ball, who makes no mistake in front of Gulacsi. The goal was initially disallowed for offside, but the check in the Leipzig video room overturned the pitch’s decision, confirming the Swiss advantage. The result is legitimized by the game, Hungary is totally at the mercy of their opponents: they do not articulate the maneuver, they do not press effectively and they are unable to inspire Szoboszlai’s creativity. In the 20th minute, Kerkez’s reckless back pass puts Vargas on goal, his shot is interlocutory and the Hungarian goalkeeper blocks it for a corner. The superiority of Yakin’s team is overwhelming in terms of possession and the second goal comes at the end of the first half. A wrong disengagement by Hungary allows for a turnover close to the limit for Switzerland. The ball reaches Aebischer, who controls and shoots to find the far post. The only feeble attempt from Rossi’s team is a weak, central header from Orban following a free kick (40′).
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the recovery
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At half-time Rossi changes defense, introducing Bolla in place of Lang. Although Hungary slightly raises the center of gravity, the inertia of the early stages remains unchanged and is in favor of the Swiss. Two very similar actions, originating from excellent phrasing on the left, lead first to Duah and then to Vargas; Gulacsi neutralizes in both cases. In the 63rd minute the first big chance for the Hungarians fell on the head of Varga, who broke away well but didn’t properly direct the inviting cross from Sallai’s attacking midfield. Three minutes later it goes much better: this time the cross comes from Szoboszlai, Varga escapes Aebischer’s marking by passing him from behind and from close range he places the winning deflection to reopen the match. Switzerland’s response is always through the air, with a header from Schar that ends up just wide (72′) and one from Xhaka at the end, saved. Overall, Yakin’s national team gives up the push, waits and starts again to punish Hungary on the counterattack. This is what happened in injury time, when Embolo put the exclamation point with a delicious lob after a sensational mistake by Orban in the back pass.
